Below freezing temperatures combined with constantly running water faucets are straining the drinking water systems in St. John the Baptist and neighboring St. Charles Parish, officials said Wednesday evening (Jan. 17). Residents are being urged to cut non-essential water use immediately or risk causing low water pressure or a "complete shutdown" of the water system.

In St. Charles Parish officials are asking residents, businesses and industries not to run water faucets overnight -- a technique often suggested for preventing frozen pipes at home.

"The East and West Bank Waterworks facilities are near full capacity and the recommendation is being made to avoid a complete shutdown of the parish's entire municipal water system," a parish news release states.

St. John Parish officials say the high demand for water because of running faucets and leaks in the pipelines have taxed the system. They urge residents to "drip" only one faucet, the one furthest away from the home's main water line, and to turn it off when temperatures rise above freezing.

Frigid temperatures in early January caused low water pressure in St. John Parish, leading officials to issue a boil water advisory for thousands of residents.

Gov. John Bel Edwards on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for all of Louisiana. Here in southeast Louisiana, the National Weather Service has extended the hard freeze warning into Thursday morning.

Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing Wednesday night with lows between the mid-teens to near 30. Drivers should be wary of hazardous road conditions, including ice-covered bridges.